🔗 Share this article

T relief following the ceasefire in Gaza is immense. In Israel, the freeing of surviving detainees has sparked widespread elation. Across Palestinian territories, celebrations are also underway as up to 2,000 Palestinian prisoners are being freed – although concern remains due to doubt about which prisoners are returning and their destinations. In northern Gaza, civilians can at last reenter search the debris for the bodies of an believed 10,000 missing people.

Peace Breakthrough Despite Prior Uncertainty

Just three weeks ago, the chance of a ceasefire seemed unlikely. However it has taken effect, and on Monday Donald Trump travelled from Jerusalem, where he was hailed in the Knesset, to Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt. There, he joined a prestigious peace summit of over 20 world leaders, including Sir Keir Starmer. The peace initiative begun there is scheduled to proceed at a assembly in the UK. The US president, cooperating with international partners, successfully brokered this deal take place – contrary to, not due to, Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Aspirations for Sovereignty Moderated by Past Precedents

Hopes that the deal signifies the initial move toward Palestinian statehood are comprehensible – but, in light of previous instances, rather hopeful. It lacks a transparent trajectory to sovereignty for Palestinians and risks splitting, for the foreseeable future, Gaza from the West Bank. Furthermore the complete destruction this war has caused. The absence of any timeframe for Palestinian autonomy in Mr Trump’s plan contradicts self-aggrandizing references, in his Knesset speech, to the “epochal beginning” of a “golden age”.

The American leader was unable to refrain from sowing division and personalising the deal in his speech.

In a period of respite – with the hostage release, halt in fighting and restart of aid – he decided to reinterpret it as a morality play in which he solely reinstated Israel’s dignity after purported disloyalty by former US presidents Obama and Biden. Notwithstanding the Biden administration a year ago having undertaken a similar deal: a ceasefire connected with aid delivery and ultimate negotiations.

Meaningful Agency Vital for Legitimate Peace

A plan that denies one side genuine autonomy is incapable of delivering sustainable agreement. The halt in hostilities and humanitarian convoys are to be embraced. But this is still not policy development. Without processes ensuring Palestinian engagement and command over their own establishments, any deal endangers perpetuating domination under the discourse of peace.

Relief Imperatives and Reconstruction Challenges

Gaza’s people urgently require humanitarian aid – and sustenance and pharmaceuticals must be the first priority. But restoration should not be postponed. Among 60 million tonnes of wreckage, Palestinians need assistance restoring residences, educational facilities, healthcare facilities, mosques and other establishments destroyed by Israel’s invasion. For Gaza’s provisional leadership to prosper, financial support must flow quickly and protection voids be filled.

Comparable with much of the president's diplomatic proposal, allusions to an multinational security contingent and a proposed “diplomatic committee” are alarmingly vague.

International Support and Future Prospects

Robust global backing for the Palestinian Authority, allowing it to take over from Hamas, is likely the most promising scenario. The enormous suffering of the past two years means the ethical argument for a solution to the conflict is possibly more urgent than ever. But even as the halt in fighting, the return of the hostages and vow by Hamas to “remove weapons from” Gaza should be acknowledged as constructive moves, Mr Trump’s history offers minimal cause to believe he will fulfill – or consider himself obligated to attempt. Immediate respite should not be interpreted as that the likelihood of a Palestinian state has been moved nearer.